A man-made epidemic

31-12-1997 Film Ref. V-F-CR-F-00361

A war surgeon relates his experiences and makes a plea on the victims' behalf. He recounts how most people who survive blast of an anti-personnel landmine blast suffer atrociously, and often alone. More than half die shortly thereafter or on the way to hospital. Others receive inadequate medical care. Low-tech and relatively low-cost prostheses exist, but are often unavailable. This film reflects on how efforts to prevent mine accidents from happening in the first place – through mine-clearing, education and ultimately a ban –are important but that, even after mined have been banned, there will continue to be victims.